Private Detectives and Investigators pay in California
In California, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $29.45 an hour ($61,250 a year). About 4,190 people work in this job there.
That is 20% higher than the U.S. median ($51,220). California ranks 7th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.48 | $42,600 |
| 25% of workers | $21.82 | $45,380 |
| Half of workers (median) | $29.45 | $61,250 |
| 75% of workers | $39.47 | $82,110 |
| 90% of workers | $49.71 | $103,410 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $70,150 | 430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $64,060 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $61,680 | 1,520 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $59,490 | 420 |
| Modesto | $58,460 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $58,170 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $51,130 | 350 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $50,220 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $48,650 | 280 |
| Vallejo | $48,600 | 40 |
| Visalia | $47,970 | 50 |
| Fresno | $43,590 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $43,230 | 60 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for private detectives and investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $195,080 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 |
| Compliance Officers | $96,980 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $77,390 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $63,520 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,810 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.